When you reach the mellow trickle in .3 mile (2) , drop gear on a sandy bench in this 125-foot wide section of the canyon, grab … The Tramway Trail is an extremely steep descent to West Clear Creek. Look for your exit up Calloway Butte Trail #33 (7), marked by a large sandstone cairn to your west and a switchbacking path ascending from water level. This hike is located near Clint's Well, AZ. It would not be difficult to walk by this trail, so keep a sharp eye out for the trail as you walk upstream. Location: 34.559958, -111.475589. Hanging Garden OHV Route is a 12.2 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Strawberry, Arizona and is rated as moderate. You'll enjoy walking along the bottom of West Clear creek for about 0.8 miles before you see the Maxwell trail wind up the pine trees on your left. Other times you'll be bushwhacking. route finding, walking through water, bushwhacking, scrambling, flash flood danger. Although still somewhat steep, it is an easier hike than shorter neighboring Tramway trail, which shares its trailhead. Meet the Walker Ranch Loop at the bottom, go left to the creek, cross the bridge, and go … The trail crosses over the sharp edge of the Mogollan Rim, and descends to the water below. This canyon runs east to west from near Happy Jack up on the Mogollon Rim down to near Camp Verde. The return trip was easier than expected and only took us about 40 minutes. For our fourth straight Saturday of streamside frolicking, we chose West Clear Creek east of Camp Verde. For our first backpacking trip since my shoulder injury we chose a low-key trek to the east end of West Clear Creek. 10/2/14 Maxwell, Bill S West Clear Creek Loop - Trails #31/#17 14 2600 30 10/4/14 Bank, Ellen M Goldwater Lake Trail #396 9 600 13 10/7/14 Spencer, Rob … Climb the unmaintained trail up 550 feet to the canyon rim. with the classic high desert environment on the west end of West Clear Creek. An exception was this nice deep hole © 2020 desertlavender.com  | Just this side of the canyon, there is a large campsite under a rock overhang. An azcentral.com article recommended these trails for a "less crowded, more intimate look at the West Clear Creek Wilderness - Maxwell Trail, Coconino County, Arizona, US Same area and date Another location near West Clear Creek Wilderness - Maxwell Trail, Coconino County, Arizona, US on Sun Aug 02, 2020 May 28, 2012 / chollaball / 1 Comment. The West Clear Creek Trail starts in the Bull Pen area at the end of FR 215 and heads about 6 miles up the canyon bottom before turning north up a side canyon and climbing up to Cedar Flat (at the end of FR 214). From the top of the rim to the bottom is 0.7 miles and about 750 ft of elevation loss.   contact, Workman Creek, Reynolds Creek, Hells Hole and SAWUURA, General George Crook National Recreational Trail. Yes, a dry bag or liner is a must. Walking along this flat, forested road is a nice warm up to the fun ahead. Length 2.5 mi Elevation gain 731 ft Route type Out & back This is a good hike to find solitude. WCC010 To access upper West Clear Creek from the north, near Happy Jack, AZ, you should plan to enter on the Tramway Trail, accessible from Forest Road 81E, off Lake Mary Road, 7 miles north of the split from state highway 87. It's another 0.2 miles to the signed trailhead for the Tramway trail. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The trail lies within the West Clear Creek Wilderness and is closed to the use of motorized and mechanized transport (including bicycles). Still other times the easiest progress is walking in the creek, which can sometimes be as deep as your waist. I was feeling lightheaded for some reason. West Clear Creek July, 2003. Each trail is less than a mile one way and drops about 700 feet. Sunlight is sporadic in this narrow canyon, and ice packs lingered in the shadows. The travel time through the canyon is slow.  We've got hundreds of well documented Arizona hikes. There is a faint trail that crosses back and forth across the stream, so we barely got our feet wet. The Maxwell Trail starts near the end of FR 81E at the northwest corner of the parking area. This is a wonderful area that we will undoubtedly revisit in warmer weather. Finally, 1.5 miles from the car, stay left at this fork signed for FR9293N. Great overnighter on the Rim north of Payson with Dara, Troy and McKenna Marino. The point where Tramway trail reaches West Clear Creek is a very pleasant place and, on a previous hike, I paused there for a nap while the rest of the party explored the area. 2.1 miles of hiking along this flat road (after 1.6 miles, stay left at JCT_5L on the map) will take you back to where you parked your car. With the exception of the West Clear Creek Trail, there are … After walking up 0.6 miles and 700 ft on the Maxwell Trail, you arrive at the Maxwell Trail road (FR81E). A two-mile, gravel surface trail that connects to the paved Clear Creek Trail at Church Lane. It is very remote and wild with deep pools of water and red sandstone cliffs. Volunteer to help inspect and maintain trails in Bloomington city parks. It took us 3.5 hours of hiking to make this loop. Beverly Canyon Trailhead Loop (South Mountain), Templeton trail and Cathedral Rock (Sedona), Box Canyon (Christopher Creek- *Technical), San Tan Regional Park - San Tan trail loops, Petrified Forest National Part and North Eastern AZ, Petrified Forest National Park and North Eastern AZ. After 0.4miles of hiking, stay right at the fork (JCT_1R on the map). The bottom half of the upper canyon: This part is accessed by two trails from the south side of the canyon. One is the Calloway Trail at the end of FR 142B and the other is an unnamed trail at the end of FR 142A. We met two fishermen on our way down and didn't see another soul for the rest of the trip. Adopt-A-Trail. This hike is rated Moderately Strenuous because of the bushwhacking and wading in West Clear creek. Cascades Park Trail. It is slow going, but very enjoyable and the water keeps you from getting too hot during the summer. The trail switchbacks to the edge of the rim, then it's a steep descent into the canyon. The trail is one of the only two maintained routes into the upper end of West Clear Creek from the north side. Of course, that's the fun bit too! 3.1-mile paved trail between Adams Street and Country Club Drive. The trail climbs up to a cliff band near the top of the canyon, bends right, then continues up past a West Clear Creek Wilderness Boundary sign, trail register and parking area. The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking and is best used from April until November. Take note of the double portholes across from the Maxwell Trail outlet -- it's not easy to spot the trail from the opposite direction. There are numerous swims. (34°33’28.7″N 111°25’13.7″W)Source: USDA.gov From here you have options to swim, river hike, and fish, although the best swimming holes are deeper into the canyon. After 0.8 miles of total hiking, go straight at the intersection (JCT_2ST on the map). ign of the tram or the trail, although we did find loops of heavy duty cable on the south shore. First Post - West Clear Creek - Tramway Trail This beautiful canyon offers natural springs, secret side canyons, and ample pools for fishing and swimming. Hiking poles are recommended due to the difficult descent and also helpful when crossing or wading in the creek due to slippery rocks. Ready for a hike? West Clear Creek – Maxwell Trail. Here, the trail drops off to the right (west) and descends quickly to the creek bed. From the parking area, start on the right fork which is FR693. Although there were numerous pools, many of them were a little skanky. Long pants (for the bushwhacking) and a hiking stick (for walking in the creek) are very helpful in this section. There are countless petroglyphs at the base of the cliff, so it looks like this shelf has been a popular camping spot for many generations. After 1.3 miles of total hiking, stay left at the fork (JCT_3L on the map). One asphalt trail . Maxwell Trail #37 and Tramway Trail #32 lead into the upper reaches of West Clear Creek, from which you can also explore the tributaries of Willow and Clover Creeks. The towering sandstone spires and dense forest cover contrast sharply with the classic high desert environment on the west end of West Clear Creek. above the river. As you get close to the Maxwell Trail, expect to run into about 5-10 people. Only really opening up at the bottom of the trail. Description: We will hike down the Tramway Trail and up the Maxwell back to our cars. Aug 6, 2007 at 6:50 pm #1397615. The trail offers a number of … Click on the alphabet header for Willow Valley, West Clear creek, Maxwell Trail, Blodgett Basin, and you will get any info you need. The Maxwell Trail leads over the Mongollan Rim down the canyon into West Clear Creek. At the left side of the parking area at the end of FR 142E (1), locate an unsigned trail that descends steeply north to West Clear Creek. It is a steep trail, affording views of the creek from the rim. Luckily, there will most likely be some other people at this point that hiked down the Maxwell Trail that can point you in the right direction. The Maxwell and Tramway Trails Meet the Walker Ranch Loop at the bottom, go left to the creek, cross the bridge, and go … Its a must! There was a sign for this but it had fallen over. BEFORE: Dennis braves 45° F degree water.AFTER: Dennis wrapped in sleeping bag. Unlike its dammed sister East Clear Creek (dammed at Blue Ridge Res. Along the Tramway trail we only saw one other party. Loop hike through West Clear Creek on the Mogollon Rim in Arizona. West Clear Creek Wilderness Area is a deep entrenched canyon with a year round stream flowing through it. The Roadrunner is on the east side of 87 just south of junction with 260, and the Espresso Cafe is on the west side just north of the junction. take off northwest of Payson from Forest Route 81E. site map  | A bike shuttle works well here if you don't want to walk along forest roads for 4 miles. The loop described is 6.3 miles round trip. This trail is steep as it drops into West Clear creek and there is some scrambling involved, but nothing too scary. Tramway Trail is a very short but very steep hike down the ridge of the Colorado Plateau to the nearby West Clear Creek. The Roadrunner has outdoor tables and the Espresso Cafe is open on Sunday. Here, the trail drops off to the right (west) and descends quickly to the creek bed. Clear Creek Campground has drinking water, cooking grills, vault toilets, a group site, and the General Crook National Recreation Trail nearby. About two miles downstream, the trail disappeared and serious wading would have been required. Bloomington Rail Trail. about half an hour downstream. West Clear Creek Wilderness - Maxwell Trail, Coconino County, Arizona, US Same area and date Another location near West Clear Creek Wilderness - Maxwell Trail, Coconino County, Arizona, US on Sat May 09, 2020 Bullpen Day Use Area has vault toilets and access to the nearby Blodgett Basin Trail and West Clear Creek Trail . The trail alternates between switchbacks and some fall line scrambling. Continue following West Clear Creek Canyon. We decided to backtrack to the gravel bar by the first deep pool. It would not be difficult to walk by this trail, so keep a sharp eye out for the trail as you walk upstream. This is the source for everything you need to know about Arizona Hiking. The creek was cool and refreshing on a hot day, mid 80’s. At the bottom you'll end up at West Clear creek. From the parking lot, be sure to take the trail from the northwest corner. Pass Wilbur Canyon on your left (south). We should have passed the tramway -- an overhead cable that was part of a tram system used to stock the creek from the 1940s through the mid-60s. However, this time none of us paused, choosing instead to push on upstream toward the Maxwell Trail. Search Wilderness Connect For Practitioners Search Wilderness Connect For Practitioners You'll enjoy walking along the bottom of West Clear creek for about 0.8 miles before you see the Maxwell trail wind up the pine trees on your left. The trail begins by threading along a narrow shelf that drops 700' to the canyon floor. Also when on HAZ, look at the Devil's Canyon hike. The towering sandstone spires and dense forest cover contrast sharply The vegetation was thick and views of the Clear Creek Canyon were obstructed most of the way. Excellent campsites abound on gravel bars and stone shelves Turn left here (heading upstream). WCC009. I explored the creek and took a few pictures before sitting down to have a snack. The trail will enable the many apartment residents who live west of the reservoir to ride downtown and connect to the eastern side of Clear Lake near Australian Avenue. About 3/4 mile downstream, a sizable canyon enters from the north. We hiked from swimming hole to swimming hole, leaving the trail behind and scrambling along the creek bed. Heading east on the south side of the perennial creek, the trail meanders through a lush riparian forest and quickly comes to the second creek crossing, followed by the official boundary of the West Clear Creek Wilderness. Take note of the double portholes across from the Maxwell Trail outlet -- it's not easy to spot the trail from the opposite direction. the Calloway Trail is a steep switch back decent from the rim down into the canyon but the trail is maintained and well built. canyon." It shaved three pounds off our pack weight, but is definitely designed for two people who get along really, really well. After a dry spring, the water was relatively low. P.S. The map below shows our approximate route, from the Maxwell Trailhead about two miles downstream past the Tramway Trail. But there was no This is Maxwell Trail #37, turn right and begin climbing this steep path. Looking around, you’ll understand why … While making your way upstream, sometimes you'll be walking on a faint trail. 30 yr old Recommendation: West clear creek is a very lovely place and worth hiking through. Gourmet coffee has arrived in Payson. This was our first trip with our new ultra lightweight tent. 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